Practical Leather Goods for the Modern World

Live Oak Leather Works founder Hank Breazeale was raised in southern Mississippi where he developed an affinity for the great outdoors.  As a child, he exhibited an early interest for hunting and fishing, in addition to a curiosity for primitive technology.  He quickly learned to appreciate, as well as respect, everything that nature provides. This led him to immerse himself in to the world of leather crafting.

For Hank, creating leather goods is a relaxing process. Before deciding on grain or thickness, he thinks about how the item will be used, and what purpose the product will serve. Once he’s ready to cut a pattern, he meticulously studies the leather, and treats the raw material as a second skin. Then, he gently guides the leather as if it were a living being, and he never forgets that the material he uses was once a part of one.  

Old School Vibe with a Modern Touch.

After years of practice, Hank has found that gently taming, and suggesting shape yields the most durable results.  Everything Hank makes is hand cut, and hand stitched.  This provides an exceptionally beautiful, yet durable product, while maintaining a very intimate relationship with the material.  It is this relationship that ensures a top quality item, with a vintage feel.  His products are made to be used vigorously, and are built to last a lifetime.  Even when he first started making leather goods, he always matched his confidence with his curiosity. Living in southern Mississippi, he has studied various techniques and designs that have helped him cultivate an elegant, yet practical style. Today, he spends most of his time crafting in his Mississippi studio, and he still takes time to learn new techniques, and practices them.